News

Latest Updates

Neighbourhood Plan: The meeting on 21st February was very well attended. Thank you to the many volunteers who offered to help with the survey and other activities, and one or two offers to join the Steering Group. We would love to have more volunteers in whatever capacity you can offer, particularly to support the next step which is to develop the full-scale survey which will form the basis of the Plan.

Defibrillator: Thank you to everyone who came to our Defibrillator and CPR Awareness Session. If you suspect someone has had a heart attack, please ring 999 immediately. They will tell you what to do including giving you the code for the defibrillator cabinet located outside the Village Hall. The defibrillator has full instructions and tells you exactly how to use it. While someone fetches the defibrillator, it is essential that CPR is carried out on the casualty. If you would like to borrow one of our mini Annies to practice on with a DVD with full instructions, please email the Clerk, details above, and we can arrange that for you. Community groups may wish to borrow the set. Look out for our next awareness session in May or June.

Dog Fouling: There have been many reports of dog fouling recently. Please clear up after your pet and use the bins provided.

Annual Parish Meeting: This meeting is open to all parishioners to hear reports on Council activities and raise any issues of concern.

Jobcentre Near Me

We've made it easier to find local Jobcentre Plus offices, benefits and employment information. Just click on the Link - http://www.jobcentrenearme.com

Compton Buildings

We are planning an article on the history of the Compton Buildings site. If you have any memories of working there, we would be pleased to hear your reminiscences. Just email comptonchronicle@yahoo.co.uk

Mobile Library

The next visit by the Mobile Library will be on the 20th April 2018. The Mobile Library will stop on Station Road between 1:50pm and 2:15pm, and then on Grants Close between 2:20pm and 2:45pm. Please make use of this extremely useful service.

The Dassett C of E Primary School

Tesco Blue Tokens: The Tesco Blue Token scheme which gives grants for local projects is supporting the school's development of the play area. The Southam Tesco store has a blue token collection point where you can show your support for the school.In addition, there is now a collection point at the school. So, if you shop at Tesco elsewhere please ask for the blue tokens and send them into the school. Every token helps.

Governors Wanted: At The Dassett School we are currently looking for members of the local community to join our hardworking and friendly governing body as a co-opted Governor. For this type of Governor, we are unable to accept applications from parents of children currently at the school.We are particularly interested in applications from people with finance/budgetary experience and also those who can occasionally visit the school during the day, although we will consider all interested applicants.The Governing body are responsible for:? Helping to set and review the schools strategic direction and agreeing targets for improvement? Holding the headteacher and school leaders to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils? Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure public money is well spentGovernors are essential for the effectiveness and success of the school and it is an extremely rewarding and fulfilling role. You should meet the relevant statutory eligibility criteria for School Governors as set out in the Regulations and agree to an enhanced DBS check as required.If you are interested, then please contact the school office on 770 267 or email on stevns.h@welearn365.com

Bear and Ragged Staff

The work is now complete, and the Bear and Ragged Staff has been returned to its original position on the Green. Michael Bosman was thanked for his hard work and fine workmanship.

Field by the Surgery

The owners of the field behind have widened the access to the field and in so doing have encroached on land owned by the District Council, who have the matter in hand. There is an injunction preventing settlement on the land; if anything is seen which contravenes this then the District Council should be informed.

Next Parish Council meeting

The next meeting of the Parish Council will be held in the Fenny Compton Village Hall on Monday 23rd April at 7:45pm.

Sports Pavilion

With development of the Compton Buildings site now looking more likely, with associated money towards facilities in the village, and funding potentially available from HS2 as well, the Parish Council would like to investigate the potential for redevelopment of the pavilion on the sports field. We need your help to make this a reality! If any resident of the parish can help us come up with ideas, pursue funding or help with delivering the project, we want to hear from you. Please contact the Clerk.

Speedwatch

There has been a good response to the appeal for Speedwatch volunteers and some training will be arranged. If you would like to help with this practical effort to reduce speeding in the village, please contact Neil Andrew via Neil.Andrew@fennycompton-pc.gov.uk

Right of Way Online Fault Reporting

Warwickshire Rights of Way Team announce a new online Fault Report system. This is a new way to report Rights of Way faults direct to our Team. It requires the user to log into the system as the members of Rights of Way Team do. This map based system allows users to mark the location of the fault on the map and then to give a detailed description of the fault and its location. There is a search facility which has various options to get to an approximate location for example a town or village, a grid reference, Post code etc. The map depicts all the Rights of Way in the County and users are able to zoom in and out in order to pinpoint the location of the fault. Once the spot is plotted on the map the detailed information of the problem and location can be added together with photographs (if available). The system will acknowledge the report by email giving a unique reference number by which the report can be tracked. Should the user wish to give further details or photographs at any time they can add to the original report themselves. The information is processed and automatically transfers into the main Rights of Way system. Thissystem ensures that all contacts and reports are included on the system and will help to improve our efficiency.

Defibrillator.

We now have a community defibrillator located outside the Village Hall. It can be accessed after calling the ambulance service who will provide you with the code to input. It is vital that CPR be administered as soon as possible while the defibrillator is collected.

The defibrillator will talk you through how to use it and will not give a shock unless it is necessary.

We do have a training kit that both individuals and groups may borrow and use. It consists of a DVD and small 'Annie' dolls to help you practice your CPR skills. If you wish to borrow the kit please contact Sam Parkes via email on Sam.Parkes@fennycompton-pc.gov.uk

Superfast Broadband

BT asked to model an additional £1.9m coverageRegular readers will recall that Contract 3 has a potential maximum value of £20m, and that last year's Invitation to Tender carried a value of £15m. Following an extremely rigorous procurement process, BT won all three Lots.

As these bids represented excellent value for money and came to a total of less than £15m, we have now asked Openreach to model an additional £1.9m of coverage to bring the value of the current contract back up to the original £15m.

We expect to receive the return any day now, and the data team will then begin the laborious task of checking the data and creating the new maps. This work will take several weeks, and we hope to be able to publish new maps showing the additional coverage in May/June of this year.

First surveys for Contract 3 to start shortlyResidents in some areas will shortly see survey activity taking place. This is the initial stages of the work for Contract 3. It is likely to be a few months yet before we see the first structures going live. Contract 3 is different from Contracts 1 and 2 in that we have the information down to property level, and this is displayed on our map, where yellow stars denote Contract 3 work. Contract 3 is due to complete at the end of 2019.

Local Full Fibre Networks Challenge Fund (LFFN)We are still awaiting the outcome of our LFFN bid. It is believed that there have been a number of projects from across the country who have lodged bids for Phase 2 of the fund. This bid is very different from what has gone before.

The project requirements are to connect public sector buildings to the full fibre network (i.e. FTTP) with Gigabit-capable connections. The idea is that by taking full fibre out to public buildings, the successful contractor will then connect homes and businesses along the fibre route and in the vicinity of the newly-connected public buildings.

Our data team have compiled a compelling case, but of course we do not know what other projects may have submitted. We hope to hear the outcome of this bid in the next couple of months. If successful, the work will be very different from what has gone before, since we will be carrying out a public-sector procurement rather than commissioning a wholesale network (which is what the BDUK project has done thus far). As always, we'll continue to publish information in the newsletters as we receive it.

EAFRDBecause the EAFRD bid can only go to rural areas where there is no planned coverage, we are eagerly awaiting the return from Openreach for the modelling of the additional £1.9m mentioned earlier in this newsletter. This will give us a clearer indication as to where the EAFRD bid might be able to reach. The EAFRD bid is similar to the LFFN in that it targets specific premises, but in this case we will be looking at those hard-to-reach rural businesses that otherwise would not stand a chance of getting superfast connections.

The funding will be brought into Contract 3, so the requirement will be for a wholesale access superfast network offering a minimum of 30Mbps. We will have to prove evidence of need, so will be contacting businesses in the relevant areas once these have been identified. The requirement is for us to provide the network, not to monitor whether a service is taken up.

Once, again, we'll publish more information as we receive it.

Changes within the teamAfter many years of stability, we have seen some significant changes with the structure of the team. Our Project Executive, John Parmiter, has retired after almost 20 years working for Warwickshire County Council. John started his career as a teacher, and later became a schools' inspector. He then ran a project to bring ICT to Warwickshire's schools. Later John was involved in bringing Internet connectivity to schools throughout Warwickshire.

He was involved in the BDUK project (which became known as CSW Broadband) from its earliest days, and provided excellent leadership and strategic direction to the project. John's role has been taken over by Richard Hopkins, who comes from a strong technical and contracts management background.

Gurprit Basran, who has been Project Administrator since 2012 is also moving on to pastures new. Gurprit has been the unsung hero of the team, working behind the scenes to ensure that we have all documentation in order and that the systems are running as they should. Gurprit has been a massive support to all of us and will be sorely missed.

As far as the day-to-day running of the project is concerned, there should be little outward evidence of the changes, although we will all miss these two key members of the team and wish them both every success in the future.

Questions and AnswersHere are some of the Q&A's raised recently. Our website has a full set of Q&As, which are regularly updated.

Once my new fibre cabinet is connected to the exchange (or FTTP is enabled), what then? That is entirely up to you. We are installing a wholesale network, which means that once your cabinet has gone live (or FTTP has been enabled) any Internet Service Provider (ISP) can offer you high speed broadband (subject to availability) and there are a wide range of packages available.

Do check though that you are able to actually achieve the speeds that are advertised as the geographic issues mentioned on our website will apply in cases where a new cabinet is involved. You can check which structure you are actually connected to by using the BT DSL checker. Our handy ‘How to use the BT Line Checker' webpage will help you make sense of the DSL Checker results.

For the best results you will need to be able to enter a BT landline number for your property. If you do not have this then you can use your address, but it may be less accurate. Do not use the postcode checker as that covers too wide an area to be of any use.

Don't forget that you will need to upgrade to a superfast broadband package through your chosen ISP. The access is on a wholesale basis, which means that any ISP can use the infrastructure to provide their services.

Don't forget that you will need to check out broadband packages carefully to get the one that is right for you. For impartial advice go to the Money Saving Expert website.

We have leaflets that can be distributed to every property that is connected to the upgraded cabinets. To find out more please visit our Become a Community Champion web page.

My phone line is connected to a cabinet that is not upgraded. How can I get it moved to a fibre-enabled cabinet? It is an operational matter for BT as to which cabinet they connect your landline to. There is a legal obligation to provide a copper telephone connection, but not for a fibre broadband connection. In some areas, BT are carrying out CuRE (Copper Re-Arrangement) work, which does involve moving lines from one cabinet to another. In other areas we are seeing FTTP (Fibre to the premise) installations, in which case the cabinet is irrelevant.

You can check which structure you are actually connected to and what speed is available to you now by using the BT DSL checker.

For the best results you will need to be able to enter a BT landline number for your property. If you do not have this then you can use your address, but it may be less accurate. Do not use the postcode checker as that covers too wide an area to be of any use.

To see if anything is planned in your area for the future, either through this project or from commercial providers, use our unique property checker, which shows the currently planned status (down to property level) up to the end of 2019.

The information was largely derived from the Open Market Review and Public Consultation that we carried out in preparation for the Contract 3 procurement. If the coverage has been promised by the commercial provider, then we are bound by commercial confidentiality and cannot give further details. However, if the upgrades are planned through the CSW Broadband project then you can see the status on our latest map and on the Rolling 12-Month Plan.

You can find more frequently asked broadband questions on our website.

Stratford Ambulance Association

Stratford Ambulance Association are currently looking for volunteers who are willing to either be trained in First Aid to help cover local events, or help the Association raise much needed funds for equipment and supplies.

Everyone is welcome, and no prior experience is required.

Stratford Ambulance Association is also able to provide first aid training courses to local organisations.

For more information please email contact@stratfordambulanceassociation.org.uk

Or visit www.stratfordambulanceassociation.co.uk

Home Delivery Library Service

The Home Delivery Library Service is a free service to those who are unable to visit or use their local library or Mobile Library due to ill health or infirmity.

Using volunteers,we deliver books to people in their homes once every four weeks, based on their personal preferences.

We offer books in both Large and Small print and also talking books on compact disc.

Anyone who feels that they would be eligible and would benefit from receiving the service can contact us on (01926) 851031 or by email on mobilelibraryservice@warwickshire.gov.uk.

UBUS

UBUS is a service for people of any age, wherever they are in the district, who are stuck for transport between 9:30am – 2:30pm,

Monday to Friday. The UBUS service is for you if you struggle to access public transport due to mobility issues or other health problems, or you live in an isolated location with no, or infrequent, public transport. UBUS can be used to visit friends, attend social groups, leisure activities or go shopping. It cannot be used to attend medical appointments. UBUS vehicles are fitted with low-floor steps or tail-lifts to ensure everyone can access them. A single journey costs £2.10, £2.70 or £3.40 depending where you live in the district. Return journeys are £4.20, £5.40 or £6.80. Travel on ‘Magic Monday' and pay only one way on a return journey. Once registered with the service, you can book journeys between 9.30am and 2.30pm, Monday to Friday by quoting your membership number. Journeys can be booked seven days in advance. The earlier you book the more likely you will be able travel at your preferred time.

To register or for more information please contact 01789 264491.

There have been a number of incidents around the country of ewes and lambs being attacked and killed by dogs.

In Warwickshire we are aware of two possible attacks.

If you have a dog, please keep it on a lead when passing through fields with any kind of livestock, especially with young at this time of year.

Always make sure you know where your dog is, especially if you live near fields with livestock in. Your dog is your responsibility both when you are at home and away.

Please be aware that from 6th April, 2016, ALL dogs in England, Scotland and Wales will be legally required to be microchipped and their details registered on an authorised database. Failure to comply could lead to a fine of £500.

The Warwickshire Directory

The Warwickshire Directory is aimed at helping people find information about local organisations, groups and agencies that provide activities, advice, services and support. Please visit the Directory online at www.warwickshire.gov.uk/directory

Village Map Copies Available

The Parish Council commissioned a map of the village to include all the surrounding field names, which is on display in the Village Hall. The Parish Council are able to provide a copy of this map at a cost of £10. If anyone is interested they should contact the Clerk, Catherine Lambert on 01295 770354.

Rural Growth Network Scheme for Small Businesses.

Looking to grow your business or get started?Warwickshire is one of five Rural Growth Network (RGN) pilots in the country. We offer a flexible package of advice and support to rural businesses in any sector and people looking to start their own businesses.

With drop-in clinics, specialist advice, one-to-one mentoring, coaching, loans, grant funding and property, you'll find the support you need to set up your business and help it grow.www.warwickshire.gov.uk/ruralgrowthnetwork

Warwickshire County Council is leading the RGN on behalf of Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership and the services or projects are delivered by a range of specialist organisations and partners.

Campaign to Protect Rural England

CPRE, the Campaign to Protect Rural England, is a national charity that helps people to protect their local countryside where there is threat, to enhance it where there is opportunity, and to keep it beautiful, productive and enjoyable for everyone.The Warwickshire CPRE Branch covers the countryside of Warwickshire and the interests of people in Solihull, Coventry, Birmingham, Nuneaton, Rugby, Warwick, Leamington, Stratford on Avon and other towns. Local threats to villages and the countryside include individual planning items, wind farms, and HS2. For more on this, see our web site http://www.cprewarwickshire.org.uk/We, in the Warwickshire Branch want to expand the work we do and the positive effects that accrue. Extra members and volunteers will help us achieve that aim. If you already help - thank you; if not, please "sign up" now to combating the threats by joining CPRE Warwickshire via our website or phoning 01926 494597

Safer Neighbourhood Team Contact Details

There are many ways in which our communities can get in touch with us. Below are listed the ways in which we can be contacted.

Southam Safer Neighbourhood Team.

• Southam Police cover an area approximately 100 square miles.• Almost 20,000 people live in the area.• The Southam Safer Neighbourhood Team covers the following wards: - Long Itchington, Southam, Stockton & Napton, Fenny Compton and Harbury.• The Safer Neighbourhood Team consists of Police Sgt Richard Thomas, Beat manager PC Jim Butler, also on the team is PCSO's Katrina Taylor, Claire Murray, Matt Hodgetts and Ally Streatfield. • Main switchboard telephone number for Warwickshire Police: 01926 415000 • When phoning switchboard you need to clearly state that you wish to report an incident and ask for the control room. The control room can identify if an officer needs to attend and what response is needed. The controller can pass on the relevant details to the Safer Neighbourhood Team once if required an incident has been created. • The controller will ask you relevant questions in relation to the incident. For example they will require address of incident, who is involved, description of offender(s), are they still at the scene. • Description could be White, male, glasses, 5'9, heavy built, local accent, white jumper, blue jeans, and white trainers driving a green Renault Clio registration number K888 KKK. • If you wish to report a crime and the offender is not at the scene, ask the main switchboard for Crime Desk.• Team email address: southam.snt@warwickshire.police.uk• Team voicemail: 01926684984 DO NOT USE THIS NUMBER TO REPORT CRIME if you wish to leave a message for a team member or discuss an issue with a member of the team.

There has been an increase in dog on dog attacks across the Stratford-on-Avon District as well as dog fouling.

As a resonsible dog owner, you are required to keep dogs under proper control and that you are responsible for any damage they may cause to people, livestock, pets or property. Dog owners and walkers need to be aware of the consequences they face if their dog attacks another dog.

The owners of uncontrolled dogs will be issued with warning notices if it continues as long as it can be backed by evidence.

The District Council has adopted the provisions of the Fouling of Land by Dogs (District of Stratford-on-Avon) Order 2009. This means that if you are a dog owner or walker and you allow the dog to foul on any land which the public have access to you are responsible for cleaning it up. If you fail to clean it up, then you are committing an offence for which you may receive a fixed penalty Notice of £75.00. You may receive a higher fine if you refuse to pay the fine and are taken to the Magistrates' Court.

The Distrct and Parish Councils take dog fouling very seriously and would like to advise you that if you are caught allowing your dog foul in any space which is open to the public within the District you will be issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice.

To all responsible dog owners who do pick up and keep their dogs under control, thank you for keeping our towns and villages a cleaner and happier place to live. Dog foul, when bagged can be placed in a dog bin or any litter bin.

Southam Safer Neighbourhood Team - Safety around Schools

For the safety of the children and parents that attend the schools in our area, the team asks that the following rules stated in the Highway Code be adhered to:

No parking within 10 metres from a junction.

No parking opposite a junction.

No parking on bends.

No parking on both sides of the road causing an obstruction.

No parking on the path.

No parking in the hatched areas where road lines are painted.

The team will be visiting schools to offer advice and warnings for road users.